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Purpose

The purpose of this site is to attract serious classical guitar students and families. This website will provide both a description of my studio environment and expectations so prospective families can be more discerning. Resources will be provided about parent training and new student orientation. An equipment and books list will be provided--including how to acquire a quality instrument in various price ranges. The site will also include classical guitar community opportunities, listening lists, and practice tips. Prospective students and parents will be able to self-evaluate before contacting me via web form.

Audience

The target audience is involved, dedicated parents (or other adults students) and their children seeking Classical Guitar instruction. Adults will initially utilize the website for information about me and my studio expectations. After joining the studio, the website will be used for information, resources, and scheduling. I will teach students And parents primarily ages 5 and older. Families will be established with a reasonable to large disposable income which covers instruments, equipment, music, recordings, membership fees, and monthly tuition. Customers will visit both via desktop or laptop computer and mobile device--both for initial contact and continued access.

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The best Whitewater Rafting in Colorado, White Water Rafting Company offers rafting on the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers in Glenwood Springs. Since 1974, we have been family owned and operated, rafting the Shoshone section of Glenwood Canyon and beyond.

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Trips vary from mild and great for families, to trips exclusively for physically fit and experienced rafters. No matter what type of river adventures you are seeking, White Water Rafting Company can make it happen for you.

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Rebecca Burris

Suzuki Classical Guitar

I am currently accepting beginning to intermediate Suzuki classical guitar students. I teach students of all ages starting as young as 3 years of age.

I am a trained Suzuki teacher--registered with the Suzuki Associate of the Americas and the Suzuki Association of Utah. For more information on the Suzuki Experience please read HERE.

Teaching music is one of the most meaningful and enjoyable things I do. Learning music is a journey of discovery: Courage in the face of vulnerability, self-awareness, beauty, and collaboration. Guiding students through the process of breaking down a challenge, recognizing the information gleaned from every effort, and achieving improvement is rewarding Every time. It is my goal to be encouraging, to help parents students with home practice ideas, and inspire students to inspire excellence.

My Suzuki journey began with Hiroko Primrose at age 3. I studied violin with Hiroko through and beyond the Suzuki repertoire. I continued my violin studies through junior high with BYU professors Percy Kalt and Donna Fairbanks--then earned my BA degree in Music from BYU.

I also studied piano, voice, and most recently, classical guitar. With eight of my own children, I experienced being a Suzuki Parent and learned much from each of the six different studios my children participated in. I completed Suzuki Teacher Training courses in both Suzuki violin and classical guitar and have more than 20 years of teaching experience. I participated in a variety of community, university, and professional choirs, orchestras, and ensembles. I enjoy serving and sharing my musical talents at church and in the community. I am grateful for the many, many teachers (Suzuki and otherwise) I have had the priviledge to work with and learn from.

What is the Suzuki Method?

A philosophy and approach to teaching

In the early 1930's, Shinichi Suzuki was asked to teach a 4-year-old to play the violin. At the time, teaching instrumental music to young children was not common. This challenged his thinking and approach to teaching.

Dr. Suzuki realized that children have the potential to learn at a high level with the right environment. Language is a "high-level skill" that most children acquire easily at a very young age. Children are surrounded by language even before birth. Parents expect them to speak and introduce sounds and words. They offer encouragement for good attempts. Language mastery grows through repetition and adding new material. In time, some cultures introduce reading and writing. But, most children speak well before the abstract concept of symbols representing letters and words is introduced. The ability to read and write then accelerates learning. Suzuki took this pattern of learning and applied it to music instruction.

Parent Involvement

Parents are responsible for the musical learning environment of the child. Parent education classes take place before the child’s lessons begin. Parents learn about Suzuki philosophy, home-teaching strategies, and fundamental guitar skills so they can be effective models and “home teachers” for their children.

Parents attend both private and group lessons with their children to take notes and participate in activities as directed by the teacher. The parent remains involved through the junior high years at varying levels while the child learns and establishes good practicing habits.

Delayed Reading

Just as children speak before they read, the Suzuki Approach focuses on playing and developing basic technical competence before introducing note-reading. The Suzuki Experience is very individual. While the repertoire is a consistent element that helps students relate with each other, students still learn at their own rate. The point at which a teacher introduces note-reading is different for each child, as they are ready.

Listening

Parents play repertoire recordings and other fine music for the child to create an enriched learning environment. Children hear notes, rhythm, dynamics, shaping, form and other aspects of musicianship. Listening to the same pieces repeatedly helps the child recognize when their musical attempts are correct which facilitates learning the skill of self-assessment.

Repetition and Review

Repetition is essential to learning music. A few notes, a phrase, a section of a piece--are all building blocks of a piece. Just as children continue to use new words after learning them, they continue to use the pieces they learn. The Suzuki Method uses graded repertoire to present technical problems in the context of music instead of assigning musical exercises. Reviewing the repertoire keeps the technique fresh and also allows the child to use old pieces to practice new technique. The repetition also builds memory, fluency, and confidence. More sophisticated playing develops as the child focuses more on how he plays than what he is playing.

Community

Repetition of a set repertoire allows children of varying abilities to play together in group classes and performances. In this setting, students experience performance practice, teamwork, socialization, and following. Skills are reinforced and flexibility is developed.

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Tuition

Tuition is the same amount every month and is based on a 42-week year to allow for holidays (I teach most Monday holidays), teacher training, and emergencies. Any lessons you receive more than 42 in a year are freebies.

Tuition reflects enrollment in an on-going program and remains the same whether you attend all possible classes/lessons/activities or only some. No credits or refunds are given for missed lessons or activities.

Payment holds your time slot and covers instruction, costs incurred by the studio, and SAU membership.

Tuition

Policies

Tuition

Tuition is your due at the first lesson of the month or before the 7th. I prefer Venmo but will also accept cash or check. If your payment is late or your check bounces, you will be charged a $25 fee.

Buying an Instrument

Instruction on the instrument will commence only when a suitable guitar is obtained. I will not teach on toys, GSO's (guitar-shaped objects), steel-string, or electric instruments. Wait to buy until we go over the guitar-buying resource guide I provide at the first lesson. If you buy locally, try to purchase contingent on teacher approval with full refund guaranteed (if teacher says the guitar is not suitable).

Attendance

• Students arriving late to individual or group instruction will be given the remainder of their allotted lesson time
• Lesson times, once assigned, are generally honored from year to year. This allows for families to plan ahead and prioritize their schedules. Understandably, adjustments need to be made as lesson lengths expand or students change schools. If a change needs to be made, parents can attempt to switch lesson times with another family. Once agreed upon, I need to be notified with both families copied in the text or email.
• I generally don't do make-ups for student absences. If you cannot make it to your lesson, you can attempt a trade with another student in the studio. Once arranged, send me a text or email with the other family copied on it. If I must miss the lesson, I will schedule a makeup lesson at a mutually convenient time.
• If you or your child feel ill, or you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid 19, you may request a Zoom lesson. Please text me with this request.

Parental Involvement

Parents in the Suzuki Studio are expected to do the following:

• Check the website regularly and respond to emails and texts promptly to stay informed of studio events
• Take preliminary lessons to prepare to function as the home teacher.
• Establish an example of practice. Provide a supportive atmosphere for practice in the home. Be involved in Every practice session until a student is old enough to drive themselves to lessons--I will specifiy to what extent on an individualized basis.
• Turn on the repertoire recordings daily--as well as other quality music.
• Review Every Day! Students are expected to review all their pieces throughout the week.
• Fill out your practice sheet. Track your review and fill in both practice and listening times. You should be practicing 1-1/2 the time of your lesson.
• Be present at all private and group lessons. This means being attentive. Phone calls/texting/emailing during lessons distracts from the lessons. Taking notes or helpful videos for home practice is encouraged. Participate in SAU guitar graduation, Federation, studio performances and recitals.
• Not interrupt my teaching or talk to your child during the lesson unless I make room for a conversation. Let your child learn how to take responsibility for their own growth.

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• Students and parents are asked to remain in the studio space and not venture into other areas of my home. Be respectful of the studio space and pick up after yourselves.
• Students and parents are encouraged to use the bathroom before coming to lesson.
• Please arrive 5 minutes early, quietly enter the studio and unpack. Check your nails while you wait. Trim the left hand and shape the right hand. Either wash your hands in the bathroom or use hand sanitizer.

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Contact Me

Interested in Lessons?

Are you familiar with Dr. Suzuki's philosophy? Nurtured By Love by Dr. Suzuki is an excellent resource. You can also read a brief overview on my website here.

Do you have time? What activities is your family already involved in? Are you exhausted? Suzuki lessons are quite a time commitment. Parents learn the basics of guitar first so they can help their child. They set the example of daily listening and practice. The parent is responsible for the musical environment in the home and are therefore responsible for playing the repertoire music every day and attending as many performances as possible. Parents attend all private and group lessons (until the child can drive themselves) and take notes so they can serve as the "home teacher" in every practice.

Are you in for the long haul? I view Suzuki as a major commitment. As with any skill, greater success and reward comes with time and effort. I hope to teach students through their high school years--not a one year stint.

Are you ready for the financial commitment? In addition to lessons, you need to purchase a good quality instrument. Please wait to purchase an instrument until you have come to lesson and talked with me. I will Not give instruction until your student has the correct size in a nylon-stringed classical guitar of sufficient quality. (No internet look alikes.) Your instrument will need regular maintenance. Additionally, you will need to purchase strings, repertoire recordings, music, and books. Other possible expenses may include a chair or stool the correct size, metronome, tuner, music stand and guitar stand. View my policies and lesson fees for more information.

Contact Me

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